Limit drone use to reconnaissance

Updated 5:21 pm, Monday, March 25, 2013

Drone usage has been an issue that has made its way into the forefront of many people's minds.

Some people are all for their usage and others are against. I personally am for limited usage of drones. Drones can be used for reconnaissance missions or to launch attacks on ground targets from overhead. Using drones for reconnaissance is an excellent idea. Drones provide a way to gather intelligence on environments too dangerous for American troops to venture in. The only physical risk is to the drone; the pilot safely controls the drone from base. Also, drones are cheaper to manufacture (several million dollars cheaper than some jets) and, with the current economy, low costs are optimal for the military. Drones can also remain airborne longer than conventional jets, 24 hours on average.

I do not, however, support drone attacks. Drones limit a pilot's sensory perception, and thus could lead to mistakes while attacking, the most well-known being civilian casualties. These are unacceptable, seeing as the civilians are innocent bystanders. Collateral damage sows the seeds of hatred against the U.S., reducing our image in the world. Drones have great potential for our nation, but, until the sensory technology is perfected, their usage should be limited to reconnaissance.